Cardiff 1 Coventry 0 - 12/08/2006
Cardiff 1 Coventry 0 - 12/08/2006
Cardiff: Alexander, Gilbert (Flood 45), Purse, Loovens,McNaughton, Parry, McPhail, Scimeca, Ledley,Chopra (Glombard 90), Thompson (Campbell 75).
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Howard.
Booked: Flood, Loovens.
Goals: Chopra 79.
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee (Virgo 6), Heath, Ward, Hall,Doyle, Birchall, Hughes, McSheffrey, Adebola (Hutchison 85),John, Virgo (Tabb 18).
Subs Not Used: Cameron, Thornton.
Booked: Ward.
Att: 13,965
Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Teamtalk
Michael Chopra sealed all three points for Cardiff with a clinical finish 11 minutes from time as Coventry were beaten 1-0 at Ninian Park.
Coventry had totally dominated the opening 45 minutes but were unable to make their superiority count and the Bluebirds took advantage as Chopra converted from close range.
High-flying Cardiff continued their unbeaten start to the season against a Coventry side who went down 2-0 to Southampton in midweek.
Despite that defeat the visitors kept faith with the same side, with Cardiff bringing back the influential Darren Purse.
Coventry had the first effort on goal inside the opening minute only for Stern John to steer a right-footed shot from 25 yards wide of the target, and the same player then headed across goal shortly afterwards but Dele Adebola failed to make the most of a close-range opportunity.
Coventry's promising start was disrupted after six minutes when David McNamee was injured and had to be replaced by Adam Virgo.
Nevertheless it was the visitors who continued to enjoy the best of the opening exchanges as John again threatened after nine minutes with a shot just over the crossbar.
The home side, having survived the early onslaught, carved out an opportunity after 17 minutes with Chopra firing the ball over the crossbar before Coventry were forced into another change, replacing injured substitute Virgo with Jay Tabb.
But Micky Adams' side continued to threaten with Elliott Ward getting on the end of a Stephen Hughes cross after 24 minutes only to see his close-range header blocked.
Chances continued to be at a premium for Cardiff as Coventry pushed for the opener and it was only some resolute defending that kept them at bay for the remainder of the first half, with home keeper Neil Alexander doing well to keep out a long-distance piledriver from Gary McSheffrey.
Cardiff made a change at the start of the second half with Willo Flood, who was on loan at Coventry last season, replacing Kerrea Gilbert.
But it was Coventry who continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges with Purse blocking a a shot from the impressive John.
Purse then tried his luck at the other end of the pitch but could not keep his effort on target as Cardiff enjoyed a brief respite from the onslaught.
But the home side went close 10 minutes into the second half when Andy Marshall had to be on his toes to keep out a header from Riccardo Scimeca.
It was Scimeca who threatened again 15 minutes from time as Cardiff staged a late rally but his 20-yard effort cleared the crossbar.
Cardiff then brought on Kevin Campbell for Steve Thompson as they tried to force a goal, and it duly arrived after 79 minutes as Chopra fired home from six yards.
CCFC
The Sky Blues suffer their second defeat on the road in the space of four days as a Michael Chopra strike is enough to separate the sides.
The game at Ninian Park also sees David McNamee and his replacement forced off with injuries on a disappointing afternoon.
Micky Adams named an unchanged side from the team that slipped to a two nil defeat at Southampton on Wednesday night.
City, who were sporting their brand new red away kit for the first time, had the first chance of the clash after just 60 seconds, Stern John latching on to a loose ball before dragging his shot wide.
The Sky Blues suffered an early setback after just seven minutes with Scottish international David McNamee forced off with what looked like a hamstring problem, new signing Adam Vigo taking his place at right back.
Just a minute after McNamee had exited proceedings assistant referee Scarr was following the Scotsman down the tunnel with what appeared to be a matching injury.
With 10 minutes gone City again had a chance to take an early lead with Dele Adebola neatly laying the ball off to strike partner John who fired over from inside the box.
Things were going from bad to worse for City and on 17 substitute Adam Vigo was himself heading off, stretchered from the field of play with Jay Tabb coming on his place and Chris Birchall filling in at right back.
At the same time Elliott Ward was shown yellow for a mistimed challenge on Steve Thompson on the edge of the City box but Joe Ledley could only curl the resulting free-kick over the bar.
Despite their terrible bad luck the Sky Blues were displaying great character and a combination of Kerrea Gilbert and the woodwork were all that denied Elliott Ward a vital goal, the former West Ham man meeting a great Stephen Hughes corner on 25.
With 36 minutes played Gary McSheffrey forced a tidy save from Neil Alexander before Andy Marshall tipped a Michael Chopra effort over the bar in spectacular fashion.
Just four minutes before the interval Michael Doyle made a crucial interception at the near post to play the ball behind for a corner and deny the home side a certain goal.
The home side returned from the break with a familiar face among their 11 as Willo Flood - who spent a spell on-loan at the Ricoh last term was a half time replacement for Kerrea Gilbert.
The Sky Blues started the second period the brighter side and after Stern John saw his shot blocked in the box captain Stephen Hughes hit his effort high and wide.
The action was switching from end to another and Marcus Hall had to be on hand to clear the ball from close range as the Welsh side pushed forward.
With 10 minutes gone of the second half the Bluebirds went close through Michael Chopra before at the other end Adebola was almost set free on goal, but the ball from Stern John just didn't carry enough weight.
On 58 the Sky Blues had first Marcus Hall and then Andy Marshall to thank for keeping the scores level as Steven Thompson and former City man Flood caused havoc in the area.
City were forced to play the waiting game as Cardiff began to keep the ball, but on 68 McSheffrey broke away down the left only to be brought down by Flood, a challenge that earned the Irishman a yellow card.
With 15 minutes to go Trinidad and Tobago international showed a clean pair of heels to his marker down the right before sending in a whipping cross, which just failed to reach the head of Adebola.
Jay Tabb and Stern John then combined well before the forward had his shot blocked by a lunging defender.
Andy Marshall was again called into action on 78 as he saved well from Michael Chopra before disaster struck just seconds later.
With the ball not cleared properly from Marshall's acrobatics Joe Ledley was given space to play the ball in from the left and Chopra was again on hand and this time the former Newcastle man made no mistake, poking the ball home from just five yards out.
The Bluebirds' forward was causing all sorts of problems for the City backline and Marshall did well to save as the number eight ran through on goal.
With time running out Micky Adams made his third and final change with Don Hutchison coming on in the place of Dele Adebola as City went looking for an equalizer.
With three minutes remaining Hutchison found John with a great pass, but the former Birmingham and Forest man pulled his shot agonizingly wide of the far post.
The Sky Blues were certainly giving it a good go and former Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall looked destined to grab the glory after a surging run, but his rising strike cleared the crossbar.
4thegame
Michael Chopra scored his first Championship goal for Cardiff City since his summer move from Newcastle United to secure all three points for the hosts.
It came in the 79th minute after Joe Ledley fired a wicked cross from the left wing in to the danger area. Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was rooted to the spot and Chopra slid in to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
The Geordie striker went close to doubling the lead a few minutes later, but his attempted lob was finger-tipped to safety by Marshall.
Marshall had been the first keeper called in to action in the sixth minute as he rose to gather a Paul Parry cross. Coventry's David McNamee was injured trying to stop Parry and had to leave the field to be replaced by Adam Virgo.
Steven Thompson was brought down on the edge of the area by Elliott Ward in the 16th minute, after a passage of slick passing play from the hosts.
Before the free-kick could be taken Virgo, who had only been on the field for 12 minutes, was carried off on a stretcher.
A corner by Sky Blues' skipper Stephen Hughes was met by Ward midway through the half, but his header was cleared off the line by Kerrea Gilbert.
Cardiff made a swift break just before the interval. Glenn Loovens raced out of defence and slipped the ball out wide to Ledley. He laid it back to Stephen McPhail and his dipping shot was acrobatically turned over by Marshall.
The hosts upped the tempo after the break and Marcus Hall had to head over his own crossbar twice in the opening five minutes.
Twice the rampant Bluebirds were denied as Chopra and Riccardo Scimeca saw goalbound efforts cleared off the line.
After finally breaking the deadlock Cardiff had several chances to make the game safe, with both Kevin Campbell and Luigi Glombard going close.
Delighted Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: "The three points were a just reward for a hard game.
"We had to shuffle the pack a bit when Kerrea Gilbert was replaced through injury but the players know each others strengths and weaknesses.
"It is good that both strikers have already found the net and we are a point ahead of our schedule after these first three games.
"But we cannot get carried away with ourselves so early in the season. This is a young side and if they can turn on these sorts of displays now, I know they will be even better in a few years time.
"I feel there are exciting times ahead at this football club, both on and off the field." Coventry boss Micky Adams said: "We created some good chances and our general play was good, but they caught us out on the break a few times.
"It was made more difficult for us by losing two right-backs in the opening quarter of an hour, but we need to put those chances away and perhaps I will have to go into the transfer market.
"This is not a crisis for Coventry, after all it is only three games into the season and we are pleased with all the new players we have brought in and know we can only get better."
Cardiff: Alexander, Gilbert (Flood 45), Purse, Loovens,McNaughton, Parry, McPhail, Scimeca, Ledley,Chopra (Glombard 90), Thompson (Campbell 75).
Subs Not Used: Johnson, Howard.
Booked: Flood, Loovens.
Goals: Chopra 79.
Coventry: Marshall, McNamee (Virgo 6), Heath, Ward, Hall,Doyle, Birchall, Hughes, McSheffrey, Adebola (Hutchison 85),John, Virgo (Tabb 18).
Subs Not Used: Cameron, Thornton.
Booked: Ward.
Att: 13,965
Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).
Teamtalk
Michael Chopra sealed all three points for Cardiff with a clinical finish 11 minutes from time as Coventry were beaten 1-0 at Ninian Park.
Coventry had totally dominated the opening 45 minutes but were unable to make their superiority count and the Bluebirds took advantage as Chopra converted from close range.
High-flying Cardiff continued their unbeaten start to the season against a Coventry side who went down 2-0 to Southampton in midweek.
Despite that defeat the visitors kept faith with the same side, with Cardiff bringing back the influential Darren Purse.
Coventry had the first effort on goal inside the opening minute only for Stern John to steer a right-footed shot from 25 yards wide of the target, and the same player then headed across goal shortly afterwards but Dele Adebola failed to make the most of a close-range opportunity.
Coventry's promising start was disrupted after six minutes when David McNamee was injured and had to be replaced by Adam Virgo.
Nevertheless it was the visitors who continued to enjoy the best of the opening exchanges as John again threatened after nine minutes with a shot just over the crossbar.
The home side, having survived the early onslaught, carved out an opportunity after 17 minutes with Chopra firing the ball over the crossbar before Coventry were forced into another change, replacing injured substitute Virgo with Jay Tabb.
But Micky Adams' side continued to threaten with Elliott Ward getting on the end of a Stephen Hughes cross after 24 minutes only to see his close-range header blocked.
Chances continued to be at a premium for Cardiff as Coventry pushed for the opener and it was only some resolute defending that kept them at bay for the remainder of the first half, with home keeper Neil Alexander doing well to keep out a long-distance piledriver from Gary McSheffrey.
Cardiff made a change at the start of the second half with Willo Flood, who was on loan at Coventry last season, replacing Kerrea Gilbert.
But it was Coventry who continued to enjoy the better of the exchanges with Purse blocking a a shot from the impressive John.
Purse then tried his luck at the other end of the pitch but could not keep his effort on target as Cardiff enjoyed a brief respite from the onslaught.
But the home side went close 10 minutes into the second half when Andy Marshall had to be on his toes to keep out a header from Riccardo Scimeca.
It was Scimeca who threatened again 15 minutes from time as Cardiff staged a late rally but his 20-yard effort cleared the crossbar.
Cardiff then brought on Kevin Campbell for Steve Thompson as they tried to force a goal, and it duly arrived after 79 minutes as Chopra fired home from six yards.
CCFC
The Sky Blues suffer their second defeat on the road in the space of four days as a Michael Chopra strike is enough to separate the sides.
The game at Ninian Park also sees David McNamee and his replacement forced off with injuries on a disappointing afternoon.
Micky Adams named an unchanged side from the team that slipped to a two nil defeat at Southampton on Wednesday night.
City, who were sporting their brand new red away kit for the first time, had the first chance of the clash after just 60 seconds, Stern John latching on to a loose ball before dragging his shot wide.
The Sky Blues suffered an early setback after just seven minutes with Scottish international David McNamee forced off with what looked like a hamstring problem, new signing Adam Vigo taking his place at right back.
Just a minute after McNamee had exited proceedings assistant referee Scarr was following the Scotsman down the tunnel with what appeared to be a matching injury.
With 10 minutes gone City again had a chance to take an early lead with Dele Adebola neatly laying the ball off to strike partner John who fired over from inside the box.
Things were going from bad to worse for City and on 17 substitute Adam Vigo was himself heading off, stretchered from the field of play with Jay Tabb coming on his place and Chris Birchall filling in at right back.
At the same time Elliott Ward was shown yellow for a mistimed challenge on Steve Thompson on the edge of the City box but Joe Ledley could only curl the resulting free-kick over the bar.
Despite their terrible bad luck the Sky Blues were displaying great character and a combination of Kerrea Gilbert and the woodwork were all that denied Elliott Ward a vital goal, the former West Ham man meeting a great Stephen Hughes corner on 25.
With 36 minutes played Gary McSheffrey forced a tidy save from Neil Alexander before Andy Marshall tipped a Michael Chopra effort over the bar in spectacular fashion.
Just four minutes before the interval Michael Doyle made a crucial interception at the near post to play the ball behind for a corner and deny the home side a certain goal.
The home side returned from the break with a familiar face among their 11 as Willo Flood - who spent a spell on-loan at the Ricoh last term was a half time replacement for Kerrea Gilbert.
The Sky Blues started the second period the brighter side and after Stern John saw his shot blocked in the box captain Stephen Hughes hit his effort high and wide.
The action was switching from end to another and Marcus Hall had to be on hand to clear the ball from close range as the Welsh side pushed forward.
With 10 minutes gone of the second half the Bluebirds went close through Michael Chopra before at the other end Adebola was almost set free on goal, but the ball from Stern John just didn't carry enough weight.
On 58 the Sky Blues had first Marcus Hall and then Andy Marshall to thank for keeping the scores level as Steven Thompson and former City man Flood caused havoc in the area.
City were forced to play the waiting game as Cardiff began to keep the ball, but on 68 McSheffrey broke away down the left only to be brought down by Flood, a challenge that earned the Irishman a yellow card.
With 15 minutes to go Trinidad and Tobago international showed a clean pair of heels to his marker down the right before sending in a whipping cross, which just failed to reach the head of Adebola.
Jay Tabb and Stern John then combined well before the forward had his shot blocked by a lunging defender.
Andy Marshall was again called into action on 78 as he saved well from Michael Chopra before disaster struck just seconds later.
With the ball not cleared properly from Marshall's acrobatics Joe Ledley was given space to play the ball in from the left and Chopra was again on hand and this time the former Newcastle man made no mistake, poking the ball home from just five yards out.
The Bluebirds' forward was causing all sorts of problems for the City backline and Marshall did well to save as the number eight ran through on goal.
With time running out Micky Adams made his third and final change with Don Hutchison coming on in the place of Dele Adebola as City went looking for an equalizer.
With three minutes remaining Hutchison found John with a great pass, but the former Birmingham and Forest man pulled his shot agonizingly wide of the far post.
The Sky Blues were certainly giving it a good go and former Port Vale midfielder Chris Birchall looked destined to grab the glory after a surging run, but his rising strike cleared the crossbar.
4thegame
Michael Chopra scored his first Championship goal for Cardiff City since his summer move from Newcastle United to secure all three points for the hosts.
It came in the 79th minute after Joe Ledley fired a wicked cross from the left wing in to the danger area. Coventry goalkeeper Andy Marshall was rooted to the spot and Chopra slid in to slot the ball into the bottom corner.
The Geordie striker went close to doubling the lead a few minutes later, but his attempted lob was finger-tipped to safety by Marshall.
Marshall had been the first keeper called in to action in the sixth minute as he rose to gather a Paul Parry cross. Coventry's David McNamee was injured trying to stop Parry and had to leave the field to be replaced by Adam Virgo.
Steven Thompson was brought down on the edge of the area by Elliott Ward in the 16th minute, after a passage of slick passing play from the hosts.
Before the free-kick could be taken Virgo, who had only been on the field for 12 minutes, was carried off on a stretcher.
A corner by Sky Blues' skipper Stephen Hughes was met by Ward midway through the half, but his header was cleared off the line by Kerrea Gilbert.
Cardiff made a swift break just before the interval. Glenn Loovens raced out of defence and slipped the ball out wide to Ledley. He laid it back to Stephen McPhail and his dipping shot was acrobatically turned over by Marshall.
The hosts upped the tempo after the break and Marcus Hall had to head over his own crossbar twice in the opening five minutes.
Twice the rampant Bluebirds were denied as Chopra and Riccardo Scimeca saw goalbound efforts cleared off the line.
After finally breaking the deadlock Cardiff had several chances to make the game safe, with both Kevin Campbell and Luigi Glombard going close.
Delighted Cardiff boss Dave Jones said: "The three points were a just reward for a hard game.
"We had to shuffle the pack a bit when Kerrea Gilbert was replaced through injury but the players know each others strengths and weaknesses.
"It is good that both strikers have already found the net and we are a point ahead of our schedule after these first three games.
"But we cannot get carried away with ourselves so early in the season. This is a young side and if they can turn on these sorts of displays now, I know they will be even better in a few years time.
"I feel there are exciting times ahead at this football club, both on and off the field." Coventry boss Micky Adams said: "We created some good chances and our general play was good, but they caught us out on the break a few times.
"It was made more difficult for us by losing two right-backs in the opening quarter of an hour, but we need to put those chances away and perhaps I will have to go into the transfer market.
"This is not a crisis for Coventry, after all it is only three games into the season and we are pleased with all the new players we have brought in and know we can only get better."
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 8:00 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home